THE HARWICH FORCE
This force, although an integral portion of the Grand Fleet, was based on Harwich. It was intended that it should join the Grand Fleet at sea, if possible, in the event of a fleet action being imminent, and for this reason it was included in the organisation of the Fleet for battle; but the force did not, in actual fact, ever so join the Fleet, nor did I expect that it would be able to do so. At the outbreak of war it was commanded by Commodore R. Y. Tyrwhitt in H.M.C. Amethyst and comprised:
1st Flotilla
Commanded by Captain W. Blunt in Fearless with 20 destroyers.
3rd Flotilla
Commanded by Captain C. H. Fox in Amphion with 15 destroyers.
Included also in the organisation of the Home Fleets, which Sir George Callaghan had commanded-in-chief, were the Second and Third Fleets:
SECOND FLEET
(under command of Vice-Admiral Sir Cecil Burney, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.).
Fleet-Flagship Lord Nelson, Rear-Admirals Stuart-Nicholson and Bernard Currey (commanding Battle Squadrons).
5th Battle Squadron:
Prince of Wales (Flag), Agamemnon, Bulwark, Formidable, Implacable, Irresistible, London, Queen, Venerable.
6th Battle Squadron:
Russell (Flag), Cornwallis, Albemarle, Duncan, Exmouth, Vengeance.
5th Cruiser Squadron:
Rear-Admiral A. P. Stoddart (in command).
Carnarvon (Flag), Falmouth, Liverpool.
6th Cruiser Squadron:
Rear-Admiral W. L. Grant (in command).
Drake, Good Hope, King Alfred, Leviathan.
(These last two Cruiser Squadrons were, however, broken up immediately, and the ships transferred to other duties.)
Minelayer Squadron, commanded by Captain M. H. Cobbe.
H.M. Ships Naiad (S.O.’s ship), Andromache, Apollo, Intrepid, Iphigenia, Latona, Thetis.